BC wine and food pairings

Pair local with local

Tips For Your Wine And Food Pairing

  • Intensely flavoured foods need intensely flavoured wines
  • Acidic foods need higher acid wines
  • Sweet foods need to be paired with a wine that is at least as sweet or sweeter
  • Avoid tannic wines with oily fish or hot spice
  • Pair off-dry to sweet wines to help counteract spice heat
  • Well salted meats make red wines taste less tannic and softer
  • Crisp acid whites pair well with salty food
  • Pair crisp acidic whites with fatty or deep fried foods

Cabernet Franc

BC versions are outstanding and very versatile food wines. Try it with roast chicken, pork, roasted or grilled, beef, duck, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes and even hard or soft cheese.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon stands up beautifully to virtually all red meats, whether served simply with “jus” or rich, reduced sauces. Fine, older Cabernets are excellent accompaniments to special occasion meals, while younger ones match simpler fare.

Merlot

Merlot pairs well with red meats. It has the weight and fruit to match wine-braised stews and roasts, and the structure and polish to pair with rare, grilled prime cuts.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir’s greatest strength is its suppleness. Without the hard tannic structure found in many red wines, it pairs effortlessly with a wide range of foods—from fish through game birds to grilled beef and lamb. Don’t overwhelm its gentle fruits and refined complexity with strong or spicy flavours; simply prepared dishes are best.

Gamay Noir

Gamay is a cousin of Pinot Noir so you can try it with foods that pair well with Pinot. Try lighter and medium bodied dishes, especially those with some acidity.

Syrah Shiraz

Syrah/Shiraz has a unique peppery, spicy quality that makes it perfect to pair with robust meat dishes including peppercorn steak and braised lamb shanks. For the adventurous, try pairing it with a slightly spicy ethnic dish such as Mexican mole or lamb korma.

Pinot Gris

Very adaptable with the structure to stand up to Asian, Oriental and Latin flavours. A perfect anytime choice.

Chardonnay (Oaked)

Rich dishes with butter or cream sauces. Nice with chicken, crab, white fish, salmon, scallops and veal.

Gewürztraminer

Its intense, exotic aromas and flavours seem ideally suited to spicy cuisines from China to Thailand to India, and it stands up equally well to the fruitiest salsas and smokiest grilled and barbecued flavours of contemporary North American cuisine.

Pinot Blanc

These white wines are light-bodied and dry, with delicate acidity and subtle aftertaste, making them great to serve with lighter fare. Typical characteristics include fresh orchard aromas, distant nuances of sage or dried herbs, green apples and citrus notes.

Riesling

The most fruit-driven examples take well to barbecued or smoked foods and a wide variety of fruity and subtle spicy flavours. Sweeter Rieslings can also handle chili heat.

Sauvignon Blanc

It is excellent with shellfish or light, subtle dishes or, in its oak-aged versions, with richer fare.

Sparkling Wine

Very adaptable with the structure to stand up to Asian, Oriental and Latin flavours. A perfect anytime choice.

The most versatile of all wines! Appetizers, caviar, eggs, fried food, oysters, popcorn, salty food, smoked salmon, sushi – almost anything goes, but never stronger than the wine itself.

Rosé

Like sparkling wines, Rosé wines are all-around crowd pleasers these days. Charming on their own (particular during patio season) or paired with a variety of dishes, try pairing a dry Rosé with antipasto platters, melon and prosciutto, cheese platters, pizza, salad niçoise, roast turkey or chicken.

Icewine Late Harvest

When pairing Icewine or Late Harvest, remember that the wine should be as sweet or sweeter than your dessert, and that sweetness cuts through fat. Feeling saucy? Try drizzling some Icewine over your ice cream. Adventurous? Pair with a salty or spicy appetizer.

BC food and wine pairing chart showing how to match different meats, spicy dishes, salads, and flavors like sweet & umami with red wine & white wine like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot grigio and more. By WineBC.com

Explore

Wine & Recipe Pairings

Very adaptable with the structure to stand up to Asian, Oriental and Latin flavours. A perfect anytime choice.

A plate of chicken Tacos with corn, cheese, onion, cilantro, and lime

Pineapple Chicken Tacos

BC Wine Pairing; Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer Serves 4  Total Time:  100 minutes + overnight marinade Prep Time:  70 minutes Cook…
READ MORE Pineapple Chicken Tacos
Turkey pot stickers photo

Turkey Pot Stickers

Look for a wine with fresh acidity and aromatics to balance the spice found in Asian cuisine. A BC grown…
READ MORE Turkey Pot Stickers

Chardonnay paired rich butter or cream sauces. Nice with chicken, crab, white fish, salmon, scallops and veal.

Homemade Ricotta and asparagus flatbread

Homemade Ricotta

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Homemade Ricotta This light, creamy and rich fresh cheese can be used in countless dishes, as…
READ MORE Homemade Ricotta
Parsnip & apple bisque photo

Parsnip & Apple Bisque

Apples, vanilla and butter are all characteristics found in Chardonnay and are all flavors that will be found in this…
READ MORE Parsnip & Apple Bisque

Its intense, exotic aromas and flavours seem ideally suited to spicy cuisines from China to Thailand to India, and it stands up equally well to the fruitiest salsas and smokiest grilled and barbecued flavours of contemporary North American cuisine.

Thai Chicken Curry

BC Wine Pairing; Riesling, Grüner Veltliner Serves 4 Total Time:  45 minutes Prep Time:  15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes…
READ MORE Thai Chicken Curry

Thai Chicken Salad

BC Wine Pairing; Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked) Serves 4 Total Time: 45 minutes Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 15…
READ MORE Thai Chicken Salad

Features crisp acidity, light to medium body, and refreshing flavors. It is made from the Pinot Gris grape variety and is known for its versatility and easy-drinking nature.

Crostini with mushrooms and onions paired with sparkling white wine

Crostini

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Crostini Also known as bruschetta, these crisp toast rounds can be made ahead and are an…
READ MORE Crostini
Homemade Ricotta and asparagus flatbread

Homemade Ricotta

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Homemade Ricotta This light, creamy and rich fresh cheese can be used in countless dishes, as…
READ MORE Homemade Ricotta

Terrafina Fish Cakes

BC Wine Pairing: Choose seasonal fish to make these scrumptious fish cakes and pair them with Hester Creek Chardonnay Ingredients: …
READ MORE Terrafina Fish Cakes

Lemon Chicken Piccata

BC Wine Pairing; Rosé or Pinot Blanc Serves 4 Total Time: 40 minutes Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20…
READ MORE Lemon Chicken Piccata

The most fruit-driven examples take well to barbecued or smoked foods and a wide variety of fruity and subtle spicy flavours. Sweeter Rieslings can also handle chili heat.

Parsnip & apple bisque photo

Parsnip & Apple Bisque

Apples, vanilla and butter are all characteristics found in Chardonnay and are all flavors that will be found in this…
READ MORE Parsnip & Apple Bisque

Thai Chicken Curry

BC Wine Pairing; Riesling, Grüner Veltliner Serves 4 Total Time:  45 minutes Prep Time:  15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes…
READ MORE Thai Chicken Curry

It is excellent with shellfish or light, subtle dishes or, in its oak-aged versions, with richer fare.

Crostini with mushrooms and onions paired with sparkling white wine

Crostini

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Crostini Also known as bruschetta, these crisp toast rounds can be made ahead and are an…
READ MORE Crostini

Terrafina Fish Cakes

BC Wine Pairing: Choose seasonal fish to make these scrumptious fish cakes and pair them with Hester Creek Chardonnay Ingredients: …
READ MORE Terrafina Fish Cakes

BC versions are outstanding and very versatile food wines. Try it with roast chicken, pork, roasted or grilled, beef, duck, sausage, lamb, veal, hearty fish dishes and even hard or soft cheese.

Turkey Pho photo

Turkey Pho

Choose and off-dry BC Riesling with crisp citrus flavours, mouthwatering acidity and touch of residual sugar which will complement the…
READ MORE Turkey Pho

Cabernet Sauvignon stands up beautifully to virtually all red meats, whether served simply with “jus” or rich, reduced sauces. Fine, older Cabernets are excellent accompaniments to special occasion meals, while younger ones match simpler fare.

Merlot pairs well with red meats. It has the weight and fruit to match wine-braised stews and roasts, and the structure and polish to pair with rare, grilled prime cuts.

Rabbit Alla Cacciatore

This is an elegant Pinot Noir with more Old World earthy notes that pairs perfectly with our Rabbit alla Cacciatore…
READ MORE Rabbit Alla Cacciatore

Pinot Noir’s greatest strength is its suppleness. Without the hard tannic structure found in many red wines, it pairs effortlessly with a wide range of foods—from fish through game birds to grilled beef and lamb. Don’t overwhelm its gentle fruits and refined complexity with strong or spicy flavours; simply prepared dishes are best.

Chicken Pot Pie

BC Wine Pairing; Chardonnay or white wine blend Serves 4 Total Time: 1 hour Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time:…
READ MORE Chicken Pot Pie

BC WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

BC Wine Pairing; BC Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Pinot Noir Serves 4 Total Time:  1 hour 35 minutes Prep…
READ MORE BC WILD MUSHROOM SOUP

Wild BC Salmon Wellington

BC Wine Pairing; pair with BC Rosé Serves 2 Adapted from The B.C. Wine Lover’s Cookbook published by Appetite by…
READ MORE Wild BC Salmon Wellington

Gamay is a cousin of Pinot Noir so you can try it with foods that pair well with Pinot. Try lighter and medium bodied dishes, especially those with some acidity.

Syrah/Shiraz has a unique peppery, spicy quality that makes it perfect to pair with robust meat dishes including peppercorn steak and braised lamb shanks. For the adventurous, try pairing it with a slightly spicy ethnic dish such as Mexican mole or lamb korma.

Blueberry Turkey Burgers

BC Wine Pairing; Pinot Noir Serves 4 Ingredients 1 lb (450 g) Lean ground turkey ¾ cup (115 g) BC blueberries,…
READ MORE Blueberry Turkey Burgers

Greek Chicken Bowl

BC Wine Pairing; Sauvignon Blanc or Siegerrebe Serves 4 Total Time: 65 minutes Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 35…
READ MORE Greek Chicken Bowl

The most versatile of all wines! Appetizers, caviar, eggs, fried food, oysters, popcorn, salty food, smoked salmon, sushi – almost anything goes, but never stronger than the wine itself.

A plate of smoked salmon and caviar blini, a type of Russian pancakes

Easy Blini

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Easy Blini Traditionally, these bite-sized Russian pancakes are made with buckwheat and yeast and served alongside…
READ MORE Easy Blini
Creme fraiche dessert in a glass

Crème Fraîche

BC Wine Pairing; Sparkling Crème Fraîche Crème fraîche, French for “fresh cream,” is a thick cultured cream, similar to sour…
READ MORE Crème Fraîche

Spicy Wild Salmon Tartare

BC Wine Pairing; BC Sparkling wine Serves 4 Total Time:  30 minutes Prep Time:  30 minutes Ingredients: 1 ½ lb…
READ MORE Spicy Wild Salmon Tartare

Like sparkling wines, Rosé wines are all-around crowd pleasers these days.  Charming on their own (particular during patio season) or paired with a variety of dishes, try pairing a dry Rosé with antipasto platters, melon and prosciutto, cheese platters, pizza, salad niçoise, roast turkey or chicken.

Wild Salmon Poke Bowl

BC Wine Pairing; BC Rosé or Riesling Serves 4 Total Time:  30 minutes Prep Time:  30 minutes Ingredients 1 lb…
READ MORE Wild Salmon Poke Bowl

When pairing Icewine or Late Harvest, remember that the wine should be as sweet or sweeter than your dessert, and that sweetness cuts through fat. Feeling saucy? Try drizzling some Icewine over your ice cream. Adventurous? Pair with a salty or spicy appetizer.

Wine BC App

Meet Your BC Wine Companion

Match Intensity

Pair bold cheeses with full-bodied wines and lighter cheeses with lighter wines.

Consider Texture

Pair creamy cheeses with crisp wines for contrast, while pairing hard cheeses with tannic wines.

Balance Flavors

Complementary flavors, such as fruity wines and nutty cheeses, or acidic wines and creamy cheeses.

Experiment

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to discover your preferences.

Local Pairings

Explore regional pairings by matching wines and cheeses from the same area.

Serve at the Right Temperature

Ensure both the wine and cheese are served at their optimal temperatures.

Wine & Cheese

BC wine & cheese pairing tips

Match Intensity

Pair bold cheeses with full-bodied wines and lighter cheeses with lighter wines.

Consider Texture

Pair creamy cheeses with crisp wines for contrast, while pairing hard cheeses with tannic wines.

Balance Flavors

Complementary flavors, such as fruity wines and nutty cheeses, or acidic wines and creamy cheeses.

Experiment

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to discover your preferences.

Local Pairings

Explore regional pairings by matching wines and cheeses from the same area.

Serve at the Right Temperature

Ensure both the wine and cheese are served at their optimal temperatures.

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